As a homeowner, you take pride in keeping your property and loved ones safe and secure. One of the ways you do this is by installing a Ring camera, a popular smart doorbell with a built-in camera that allows you to monitor your home’s surroundings remotely. But have you ever wondered what happens to your Ring camera when the WiFi goes out? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide you with valuable insights on how to ensure your Ring camera continues to function even when the internet is down.
How Ring Cameras Work
Before we dive into what happens when the WiFi goes out, let’s first understand how Ring cameras work. Ring cameras are smart devices that connect to your home’s WiFi network, allowing you to access live footage, receive motion alerts, and communicate with visitors through the Ring app. The camera’s WiFi connection enables it to send and receive data to and from the Ring servers, which are then transmitted to your smartphone or tablet.
When you install a Ring camera, you’ll need to connect it to your WiFi network using the Ring app. Once connected, the camera will begin to stream live footage to the app, allowing you to monitor your home’s surroundings remotely. The camera also has motion detection capabilities, which trigger alerts to your smartphone or tablet when motion is detected.
What Happens When the WiFi Goes Out?
So, what happens to your Ring camera when the WiFi goes out? The answer depends on the type of Ring camera you have and the features you’ve enabled. Here are a few possible scenarios:
- No internet, no streaming: If your WiFi connection is lost, your Ring camera will no longer be able to stream live footage to the Ring app. This means you won’t be able to monitor your home’s surroundings remotely until the internet connection is restored.
- Motion alerts still work: Although the camera won’t be able to stream live footage, motion alerts will still work even when the WiFi is out. This is because motion alerts are triggered by the camera’s built-in motion detection sensor, which doesn’t require an internet connection to function.
- Local recording still works: If you have a Ring camera with local recording capabilities, such as the Ring Pro or Ring Elite, the camera will continue to record footage locally to the camera’s internal storage or microSD card, even when the WiFi is out. This means you’ll still have access to recorded footage, even if you can’t stream live footage.
Ring’s Offline Mode
Ring cameras have an offline mode that allows them to continue functioning even when the WiFi is out. In offline mode, the camera will continue to record footage locally and store it on the camera’s internal storage or microSD card. When the internet connection is restored, the camera will upload the recorded footage to the Ring servers, allowing you to access it through the Ring app.
It’s worth noting that not all Ring cameras have offline mode. The Ring Stick Up Cam, for example, does not have offline mode, while the Ring Pro and Ring Elite do.
How to Ensure Your Ring Camera Continues to Function When the WiFi Goes Out
While Ring cameras are designed to function even when the WiFi is out, there are a few things you can do to ensure your camera continues to function seamlessly:
- Enable local recording: If you have a Ring camera with local recording capabilities, make sure to enable this feature. This will allow the camera to record footage locally to the camera’s internal storage or microSD card, even when the WiFi is out.
- Use a battery backup: If you have a Ring camera that’s hardwired to your home’s electrical system, consider using a battery backup to keep the camera powered during a power outage. This will ensure the camera continues to function even when the power is out.
- Check your internet connection regularly: Regularly check your internet connection to ensure it’s stable and functioning properly. This will help prevent dropped connections and ensure your Ring camera continues to function seamlessly.
Ring’s Cellular Backup Option
Ring offers a cellular backup option for its cameras, which allows the camera to connect to a cellular network when the WiFi is out. This feature is available on select Ring cameras, including the Ring Pro and Ring Elite.
With cellular backup, your Ring camera will continue to function even when the WiFi is out, allowing you to receive motion alerts and access live footage remotely. The camera will use a cellular connection to send and receive data to and from the Ring servers, ensuring you stay connected to your home’s surroundings even when the internet is down.
How Cellular Backup Works
Cellular backup works by using a cellular connection to send and receive data to and from the Ring servers. When the WiFi connection is lost, the camera will automatically switch to a cellular connection, allowing you to continue receiving motion alerts and accessing live footage remotely.
It’s worth noting that cellular backup requires a cellular plan, which may incur additional costs. You’ll need to purchase a cellular plan from Ring or a third-party provider to use this feature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while a lost WiFi connection may affect your Ring camera’s ability to stream live footage, it won’t render the camera completely useless. By enabling local recording, using a battery backup, and checking your internet connection regularly, you can ensure your Ring camera continues to function seamlessly even when the WiFi is out.
Additionally, Ring’s cellular backup option provides an added layer of security and convenience, allowing you to stay connected to your home’s surroundings even when the internet is down.
By understanding how your Ring camera works and taking steps to ensure its continued functionality, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home and loved ones are safe and secure.
What happens to my Ring camera when the WiFi goes out?
When your WiFi goes out, your Ring camera will lose its internet connection. This means that it will not be able to send notifications, upload videos to the cloud, or allow remote access. However, the camera will continue to record video locally, as long as it has a power source.
The camera’s local recording capability allows it to store video footage on the device itself, even when it’s not connected to the internet. This means that you’ll still be able to view the footage later, once your WiFi connection is restored. However, keep in mind that the camera’s battery life may be affected if it’s not connected to the internet, as it will continue to try to reconnect.
Will my Ring camera still record video when the WiFi is out?
Yes, your Ring camera will still record video when the WiFi is out. As mentioned earlier, the camera has local recording capabilities, which allow it to store video footage on the device itself. This means that you’ll still be able to capture footage of any events that occur while the WiFi is out.
However, keep in mind that the camera’s recording capabilities may be limited when it’s not connected to the internet. For example, the camera may not be able to record video at the same resolution or frame rate as it would when connected to the internet. Additionally, the camera’s motion detection features may not work as effectively when it’s not connected to the internet.
How long will my Ring camera continue to record video when the WiFi is out?
The length of time that your Ring camera will continue to record video when the WiFi is out will depend on several factors, including the camera’s battery life, storage capacity, and recording settings. If the camera is plugged into a power source, it will continue to record video indefinitely, as long as the power source remains available.
If the camera is battery-powered, its recording time will be limited by its battery life. The camera’s battery life will depend on various factors, including the recording settings, motion detection settings, and the frequency of notifications. In general, a fully charged Ring camera battery can last for several months, but this can vary depending on usage.
Will I still receive notifications when the WiFi is out?
No, you will not receive notifications from your Ring camera when the WiFi is out. The camera relies on its internet connection to send notifications to your smartphone or tablet. When the WiFi is out, the camera will not be able to send notifications, even if it detects motion or records video.
However, once your WiFi connection is restored, the camera will send any missed notifications to your device. This means that you’ll still be able to receive notifications about any events that occurred while the WiFi was out, but there may be a delay in receiving them.
Can I still view live video from my Ring camera when the WiFi is out?
No, you will not be able to view live video from your Ring camera when the WiFi is out. The camera’s live video feed relies on its internet connection, which is not available when the WiFi is out. However, you will still be able to view recorded video footage from the camera, once your WiFi connection is restored.
Keep in mind that the camera’s live video feed is only available when the camera is connected to the internet. If you need to view live video from your camera, you’ll need to wait until your WiFi connection is restored.
Will my Ring camera’s motion detection features still work when the WiFi is out?
The Ring camera’s motion detection features will still work when the WiFi is out, but they may not work as effectively. The camera’s motion detection features rely on its ability to send notifications to your device, which is not possible when the WiFi is out.
However, the camera will still be able to detect motion and record video when motion is detected. The camera’s motion detection features are based on its ability to detect changes in the video feed, which does not require an internet connection.
How do I ensure my Ring camera continues to work when the WiFi is out?
To ensure that your Ring camera continues to work when the WiFi is out, make sure that it is plugged into a power source or has a fully charged battery. You should also ensure that the camera’s local recording feature is enabled, which will allow it to store video footage on the device itself.
Additionally, consider investing in a cellular backup plan, which will allow your camera to stay connected to the internet even when your WiFi is out. This will ensure that you can still receive notifications and view live video from your camera, even when your WiFi connection is unavailable.